If you have a bunch of Crayola markers lying around that you don’t know what to do with, please don’t throw them away!
You can recycle Crayola markers and turn them into something new. With the rise of remote working and online schooling, you likely possess many pens, pencils, crayons, markers, and highlighters in your home.
However, these office supplies only last a while- ink runs out from pens; pencils are sharpened to nothing; crayon tips snap off; marker colors dull over time.
All those broken crayons, dried-out markers, and unwanted pens cluttering your house don’t have to be there anymore!
This blog post will teach you how to recycle Crayola markers and create fun new crafts with them.
What are Crayola Markers Made of?
Before we dive into our how-to guide, it is essential to understand the components of Crayola markers. Crayola markers are made up of plastic and ink.
The marker’s body consists of a hard plastic material, which helps create different types of lines. The ink is made from glycerol, alcohol, and dye colorants.
Method To Recycle Crayola Markers
Because they are composed mostly of plastic, most curbside recycling programs won’t accept them. However, you can still recycle Crayola markers with their ColorCycle program.
With ColorCycle, Crayola collects used markers from schools and other organizations to be recycled into clean fuel.
Collect all unwanted or dried-out markers in a sealable bag, box, or container and send them to the nearest participating school.
Contact your local school district for more information on how to get involved with this program.
Creative Ways To Reuse Crayola Markers
If you want to avoid recycling your markers, there are several creative ways to reuse them. One way is by creating colorful marbled paper.
You only need water, food coloring, a shallow dish, and a stack of white cardstock paper. Fill the shallow dish and drip a few drops of food coloring into the water.
Take your Crayola markers and dip them, one at a time, into the water. Use all different colors for a more vibrant look.
Place the cardstock paper on the colorful mixture and gently drag it around to absorb some colors. Let the paper dry, and you will have some beautiful marbled paper!
Another idea is to make your stained glass art using markers and contact paper. Cut out a heart, star, or another shape from the contact paper and stick it onto wax paper.
Take your Crayola markers and color in your shape’s different parts. Using lighter colors like pink, yellow, and green is best.
Once finished, cut around the edges of your shape one more time with scissors. Peel off the contact paper, and voila! You have created a fun stained glass window decoration that can be hung up in any room.
Tips to Recycle Crayola Markers
- Gather all your used or dried-out markers in one place.
- Look into participating in the Crayola ColorCycle program to recycle your markers.
- Create a fun new craft with old markers like marbled paper and stained glass art pieces.
- Consider repurposing old pens, pencils, and markers into other items like customized jewelry or keychains.
- Donate any usable markers to local charities, schools, or organizations.
- Compost the caps of the markers if they are made of plastic-based materials
Recycling Crayola markers are a great way to reduce waste and make something new out of something old.
Make sure to consider the ColorCycle program or try creative ways to reuse markers mentioned in this guide. With a bit of effort, you can give these markers second life instead of throwing them away!
By following these steps, your home will be clutter-free, and you will be helping the environment in the process.
Plus, you can have fun and be creative while doing it! Thanks to Crayola’s ColorCycle program, recycling markers has never been easier.
So go ahead and clear out that backlog of dried-out markers – your house will thank you for taking action!
Benefits of Recycling the Crayola Markers
- Reduces waste going to the landfills
- Prevents hazardous materials from entering waterways and soil
- Creates an opportunity for the creative and sustainable reuse of old supplies
- Saves money by avoiding buying new markers
- Engages children in environmental education and hands-on craft activities
- Saves natural resources by reducing the amount of material being manufactured
- Helps clean up the environment and promote a healthier planet
Recycling Crayola markers are an easy way to reduce your household’s environmental impact while promoting the creative reuse of materials.
With just a few steps, you can transform old markers into something new and help the environment. So don’t be afraid to get creative and give those markers a second life!
The Bottom Line
We hope this guide has provided you with some inspiration for the sustainable reuse of Crayola markers.
Remember that these simple steps can greatly reduce waste, save money, and create something new from something old.
With just a bit of effort, you can give these markers second life instead of throwing them away! So get creative and give those markers a second chance.
FAQs
What to do with dried-out Crayola markers?
To restore your Crayola washable, regular, or Ultra-Clean Markers to their former glory, dip the tip in warm water for approximately 5 seconds.
Next, recap and allow 24 hours before putting them back into use.
How do you revive Crayola signature markers?
Start by running the gel marker back and forth on your drawing surface several times for optimal performance. If it still doesn’t write properly, try replacing the cap for a couple of hours before attempting to use it again.
Alternatively, you could briefly submerge the tip in warm water for about five seconds, then attach its lid and wait 24 hours before trying again.
Additional Contents
